Golf Putter Head and Putter

Abstract

A putter head includes a semi-circular shaped main body and a plurality of inserted into cavities formed in the upper surface of the main body. The distribution of weight provided by positioning of the weighted inserts in the cavities optimizes the moment of inertia of the putter head to minimize twisting about the vertical axis defined by the putter shaft. A golf putter including the putter head and a shaft is also disclosed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application For Patent Ser. No. 61/334,749 filed on May 14, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to a putter head and putter including the putter head that is used for striking a golf ball.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The sport of golf is played on a playing area referred to as a golf course. The golf course includes a number of sequentially numbered holes. Each of the holes of the golf course has an initial ball striking location, referred to as the "tee" or "tee-box", a putting green containing a hole, and an area extending between the tee-box and putting green, referred to as the "fairway". The "rough" are areas that flank the fairways on each hole of the golf course. The "fringe" is an additional area that surrounds the putting green.

[0004] While playing a round of golf, players strike a golf ball with a golf club to advance the ball from an initial ball striking location to one of several numbered putting holes. During normal a round of golf, a player usually plays 18 sequentially numbered holes that are laid out on the golf course. The object of the game of golf, on each hole, is to advance the golf ball from the initial ball striking location into the hole in the fewest number of strokes.

[0005] A player usually carries several different golf clubs during a round of golf. Each golf club is identified as a wood, iron, or putter according to its ball-striking portion. A wood is generally used to strike the golf ball from the initial ball striking location (ie, the tee-box), or to strike a golf ball to advance it a long distance. Irons are generally used after the initial shot on each hole to advance the golf ball closer to the putting green. A putter is used to strike a ball from a location on the putting green into the hole. In the case of a putter, the ball-striking portion includes a structure to strike the ball such that the ball should move along an intended path along the putting green surface and remain on the green surface throughout its entire travel into the putting hole. Putting is one of the most difficult and unforgiving aspects of golf. Players spend a significant portion of their practice time in perfecting their putting to reduce the number of putts needed during the round of golf to get the golf ball into the hole on each hole.

[0006] The accuracy of a putting swing depends on several factors, including where the strike face impacts the ball, the location of the center of gravity of the putter head, and the rotational moment of inertia about a vertical axis extending through the center of gravity of the putter head. Moment of inertia affects the club's ability to resist twisting from an off-center hit when the ball does not impact the sweet spot of the putter head. The greater the moment of inertia, the less likely the club will twist in the player's hand and cause a misdirected shot. Redistributing mass away from the striking face toward the rear of a putter head tends to increase the moment of inertia about the impact location.

SUMMARY

[0007] Disclosed is a golf putter head comprising a main body comprising a face portion having a toe portion and a heel portion, a top portion, and a sole portion, wherein said top portion comprises a partition defining a plurality of cavities in the top portion; and at least one weight removably fastened within each of said cavities.

[0008] Also disclosed is a golf putter comprising a putter head comprising a main body comprising a face portion having a toe portion and a heel portion, a top portion, and a sole portion, wherein said top portion comprises a partition defining a plurality of cavities in the top portion, and at least one weight removably fastened within each of said cavities; and a shaft extending upwardly from said putter head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the golf putter.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the golf putter.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a front view of an illustrative embodiment of the golf putter.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of an illustrative embodiment of the golf putter.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a rear view of an illustrative embodiment of the golf putter.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an illustrative embodiment of the golf putter.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative embodiment of the golf putter.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a top exploded perspective side view of an illustrative embodiment of the golf putter.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a bottom exploded perspective side view of an illustrative embodiment of the golf putter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Disclosed is a golf putter head and a golf putter that is used for putting a golf ball during the game of golf. The golf putter includes the golf putter head and a shaft extending upwardly from the golf putter head.

[0019] The golf putter head broadly comprises a body having a leading portion for striking a golf ball and a trailing portion. The main body of the putter head comprises a face portion having a toe portion and a heel portion, a top portion, and a sole portion. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the main body of the putter head comprises a generally semi-circular shaped body with the leading portion of the putter being wider than the trailing portion of the putter.

[0020] The top portion of the main body of the putter head comprises a partition that defines a plurality of cavities that are located on the top portion. Each of the cavities defined by the partition are adapted to receive a weighted insert. At least one weight is inserted and removably fastened within each of the cavities of the main body of the putter head.

[0021] The sole portion of the main body of the putter head is convexly shaped between the toe portion and the heel portion of the face portion. The rear portion of the sole projects upwardly to prevent catching or snagging of the turf of the putter green during the putting stroke.

[0022] The sole portion also comprises a plurality of apertures or holes that are adapted for receiving a fastener for fastening the weighted inserts to the main body of the putter head. The apertures formed in the sole portion of the main body extend entirely through the sole portion such that a fastener may be passed through each aperture. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the apertures formed in the sole portion of the putter head may be internally threaded to accommodate a fastener having a mating threaded portion.

[0023] The weighted inserts also comprise at least one aperture that is adapted for receiving a portion of a fastener for fastening the weighted inserts to the tope surface of the main body of the putter head. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the apertures formed in the weighted inserts only extend partially through the thickness of the weight. The apertures formed in the weighted inserted maybe internally threaded to accept an externally threaded fastener, such as a threaded bolt. The weighted inserts may be fastened to the top surface of the main body of the putter head by threading an externally threaded fastener through the internally threaded apertures of the sole portion of the main body of the putter head and into the internally threaded apertures of the weighted inserts.

[0024] The main body of the putter head comprises a partition that defines a plurality of cavities located on the top surface of the main body. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the main body of the putter head comprises a branched partition that extends upwardly from the top portion of the main body and extends rearwardly from the rear wall of the face portion of the main body. According to further illustrative embodiments, the branched partition comprises a substantially Y-shaped partition. The substantially Y-shaped partition includes a plurality of legs extending outwardly from a central region. The substantially Y-shaped partition defines three cavities located on top portion of the main body. It should be noted that the substantially Y-shaped partition is merely one example of the shape of the partition and the partition may be provided in any number of shapes and may define any number of cavities located on the top surface of the main body.

[0025] According to certain embodiments, the partition is provided with a height that is greater than the height of the weighted inserts.

[0026] The main body and weights of the putter head may be manufactured from metals, metal alloys, composition materials and combinations of these materials. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the main body of the putter head is manufactured from a metal. According to certain embodiments, the weighted inserts are manufactured from a metal alloy. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the main body of the putter head is manufactured from a metal and the weighted inserts are manufactured from a metal alloy. The weighted insert may be made of a material having a density that is greater than the density of the main body of the putter head. The weighted inserts may be made of brass. Alternatively and without limitation, the weighted inserts may be made of steel, tungsten, silver, gold, nickel, nickel based alloys, tin, copper, aluminum and platinum. By way of exemplification, but not in limitation, the main body of the putter head is manufactured from aluminum and the weighted inserts are manufactured from brass.

[0027] Prior art putters weigh in the range of about 6 to about ounces. According to certain illustrative embodiments, the putter head weighs at least 10 ounces. According to further embodiments, the putter head weighs at least 15 ounces. According to alternative embodiments, the putter head weighs at least 20 ounces.

[0028] The putter head and putter will now be described in greater detail with reference to the FIGURES. It should be noted that the putter head and putter are not intended to be limited to the illustrative embodiments shown in the FIGURES.

[0029] In connection with FIGURES, terms of direction/dimension are relative to the orientation the putter head has when viewed by a golfer looking down on the putter head while bringing the head through a golf ball as intended. Thus, a "heel" part of the putter head is located closer to the golfer during the swing than a "toe" portion of the putter head; a "sole" portion of the putter head faces the ground during the swing and an opposed "top" portion is what is seen by the golfer. The "leading" portion of the putter head leads a "trailing" portion through the ball during the ball striking (forward) part of the putting stroke.

[0030] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the putter 10 in greater detail. Putter head 20 comprises a main body 30. Main body 30 includes ball striking portion 22 for making striking contact with a golf ball. The ball striking portion 22 includes toe portion 24, heel portion 26, top edge, 28, bottom edge 30, face portion 32 and rear face portion 34. A shaft 40 is engaged with the putter head main body 20 by means of a shaft-receiving aperture 42. The shaft 40 extends upwardly at an angle from the top surface of the putter head main body 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom edge 30 of the ball striking portion 22 of the putter head main body 20 is convexly shaped between toe 24 and heel 26.

[0031] Extending rearwardly from the bottom edge 30 of rear face portion 32 of putter face 22 of putter head 20 includes a partition 24 that that creates a plurality of cavities 26 disposed on the top surface of the putter head 20. Putter 10 includes putter head 20 and shaft 30 extending upwardly from the top surface of putter head 20.

[0032] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, main body 20 includes a partition 50 that extends upwardly from the top surface 34 of the main body 20 of the putter head 10. According to the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the partition 50 comprises a branched partition that having a plurality of leg portions 52, 54, 56. The branched partition 50 divides the main body 20 into a plurality of separate cavities 53, 55, 57. Weighted inserts 60, 62, 64 are configured to be inserted into the cavities 53, 55, 57 defined by the partition 50.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the putter head 10. FIG. 4 shows weighted insert 64 positioned within cavity 57 of the top surface 32 of main body 20 of putter head 10. Insert 64 has a height that is less than the ball striking portion 22 and legs 52, 54, 56 of partition 50 of the main body 20 of the putter head 10. Insert 64 is bordered by the real facing wall 34 of the striking portion 22 and legs 52, 56 of the branched partition 50.

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the putter head 10. FIG. 5 shows weighted inserts 60, 62, 64 positioned within cavities 53, 55, 57 of the top surface 32 of main body 20 of putter head 10. Insert 60 has a height that is less than the ball striking portion 22 and is bordered by legs 52, 54 of partition 50 of the main body 20 of the putter head 10. Insert 62 is bordered by legs 54, 56 of the branched partition 50. Insert 64 is bordered by rear wall 34 and legs 52, 56 of the branched partition 50. Still referring to FIG. 5, sole portion 70 of main body 20 of putter head 10 extends upwardly and rearwardly in relation to the bottom edge 30 of the ball striking portion 22 of the main body 20. Apertures 72, 74, 76 for receiving threaded fasteners are shown in the sole portion 70 of the main body 20. Portions of inserts 60, 64 are shown engaged in cavities 53, 57, respectively.

[0035] FIGS. 8 and 9 are top and bottom exploded perspective views of the golf putter. Each of the cavities 53, 55, 57 defined in the top surface 32 of the putter head main body 20 include apertures 72, 74, 76 for receiving fasteners 82, 84, 86 to fastening the independent weights 60, 62, 64 to the main body 20. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the independent weighted inserts 60, 62, 64 includes an aperture 92, 94, 96 extending partially through the thickness of the inserts. In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the apertures 92, 94, 96 located in the weighted inserts are threaded for receiving threaded fasteners 82, 84, 86. According to FIGS. 8 and 9, the threaded fasteners 82, 84, 86 are threaded through apertures 72, 74, 76 that communicate from the sole portion of the main body 20 to the top surface 32 of the main body 20. The fasteners are then threaded into the threaded apertures 92, 94, 96 of the weighted inserts 60, 62, 64 to fasten the weighted inserts 60, 62, 64 to the top surface 32 of the main body 20. FIG. 8 also illustrates the shaft-receiving aperture 42 located in the main body 20 of the putter head.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the main body 20 of putter head 10. Sole portion of the main body 20 of putter 10 includes a plurality of apertures 72, 74, 76 for receiving a fastener for fastening the weighted inserts to the main body 20. The sole portion of main body 20 includes a rear region 91 that extends upwardly from the bottom of the putter head to form an arcuate sole portion. Regions 93, 95 on each side of region 91 are curved upwardly toward the peripheral sides of the main body 20 of the putter head 10 to form a convex surface.

[0037] FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the putter head 10 taken along line 8-8. FIG. 7 shows weighted insert 64 positioned within cavity 57 of the top surface 32 of main body 20 of putter head 10. Insert 64 is fastened against the top surface 32 of the main body 20 of putter head 10 by threaded fastener 86 that is threaded through aperture 76 of sole portion of the main body 20 of the putter head 10 and into aperture 96 of insert 64. Insert 64 has a height that is less than the ball striking portion 22 of the main body 20 of the putter head 10 and is therefore confined by the real facing wall 34 of the striking portion 22 and diverging legs 52, 56 of the branched partition 50.

[0038] While the putter head and putter have been described in connection with various illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiments for performing the same function disclosed herein without deviating therefrom. The embodiments described above are not necessarily in the alternative, as various embodiments may be combined to provide the desired characteristics. Therefore, the putter head and putter should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A golf putter head comprising: a main body comprising a face portion having a toe portion and a heel portion, a top portion, and a sole portion, wherein said top portion comprises a partition defining a plurality of cavities in the top portion; and at least one weight removably fastened within each of said cavities.

2. The golf putter head of claim 1, wherein said sole portion is convexly shaped between said toe portion and said heel portion.

3. The golf putter head of claim 1, wherein said sole portion comprises a plurality of apertures adapted for receiving a fastener.

4. The golf putter head of claim 1, wherein each of said weights comprises an aperture adapted for receiving a fastener.

5. The golf putter head of claim 4, wherein said apertures comprise threaded apertures.

6. The golf putter head of claim 5, wherein said each of said weights are fastened to said main body with a threaded fastener.

7. The golf putter head of claim 6, wherein said partition defines three cavities in said top portion of said main body.

8. The golf putter head of claim 7, wherein said partition comprises a substantially Y-shaped partition extending upwardly from said top portion of said main body and extending rearwardly from said face portion of said main body.

9. The golf putter head of claim 8, wherein said Y-shaped partition comprises a height that is greater than the height of the weights.

10. The golf putter head of claim 1, wherein said main body is manufactured from aluminum.

11. The golf putter head of claim 10, wherein said weights are manufactured from brass.

12. The golf putter head of claim 11, wherein said putter head weight at least 10 ounces.

13. The golf putter head of claim 12, wherein said putter head weight at least 15 ounces.

14. The golf putter head of claim 11, wherein said putter head weight at least 20 ounces.

15. A golf putter comprising: a putter head comprising a main body comprising a face portion having a toe portion and a heel portion, a top portion, and a sole portion, wherein said top portion comprises a partition defining a plurality of cavities in the top portion, and at least one weight removably fastened within each of said cavities; and a shaft extending upwardly from said putter head.

16. The golf putter of claim 15, wherein said sole portion is convexly shaped between said toe portion and said heel portion.

17. The golf putter of claim 15, wherein said sole portion comprises a plurality of apertures adapted for receiving a fastener.

18. The golf putter of claim 15, wherein each of said weights comprises an aperture adapted for receiving a fastener.

19. The golf putter of claim 18, wherein said apertures comprise threaded apertures.

20. The golf putter of claim 19, wherein said each of said weights are fastened to said main body with a threaded fastener.

21. The golf putter of claim 20, wherein said partition defines three cavities in said top portion of said main body.

22. The golf putter of claim 21, wherein said partition comprises a substantially Y-shaped partition extending upwardly from said top portion of said main body and extending rearwardly from said face portion of said main body.

23. The golf putter of claim 22, wherein said Y-shaped partition comprises a height that is greater than the height of the weights.

24. The golf putter of claim 15, wherein said main body is manufactured from aluminum.

25. The golf putter of claim 24, wherein said weights are manufactured from brass.

26. The golf putter of claim 25, wherein said putter head weight at least 10 ounces.

27. The golf putter of claim 26, wherein said putter head weight at least 15 ounces.

28. The golf putter of claim 27, wherein said putter head weight at least 20 ounces.